Caterpillar

Caterpillar is the world's largest maker of earthmoving machinery, such as bulldozers. Its products include construction, agricultural, mining, and logging machinery, and diesel and natural gas engines. It sells its equipment in 180 countries.

Caterpillar bulldozers in Palestine
Caterpillar has been selling weaponised bulldozers to Israel which are used to tear down houses in Palestine. In 2003, Rachel Corrie of the U.S. was killed in Palestine by such a bulldozer when she was trying to prevent the destruction of a Palestinian house. Emad Mekay of Inter Press News Service writes, "The parents of a U.S. peace activist who was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer built by the global machinery giant Caterpillar confronted the company Wednesday for the first time and urged shareholders at its annual meeting to end sales of 'weaponised bulldozers to Israel'.

"Cindy and Craig Corrie, parents of the late Rachel Corrie, attended the meeting as proxy voters on behalf of Jewish and Christian institutional investors who have filed a resolution asking for greater corporate accountability from Caterpillar.

"Activists supporting the parents who lost their daughter in 2003 say that the company sells machinery to the Israeli army in violation of its corporate accountability pledge and knowing full well that the equipment will be used for the destruction of Palestinian homes and farms."

Environment
Caterpillar, along with five other companies, were selling truck engines with illegal emission control "defeat devices." The emission control equipment works during pre-sale emissions tests in order to pass the tests, but then is de-activated during highway driving. The engines then produce triple the legal amount of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx). In 1998 alone, 1.3 million extra tons of NOx were put into the atmosphere this way.

Political contributions
Caterpillar gave $529,000 to federal candidates in the 05/06 election period through its political action committee - 17% to Democrats, 83% to Republicans.

Lobbying
The company spent $2,320,000 for lobbying in 2006. $700,000 went to four outside lobbying firms with the remainder being spent using in-house lobbyists.

Personnel
Executives and 2006 pay:
 * James W. Owens, Chairman and CEO, $14,818,621 (also exercised $3,215,228 in options)
 * David B. Burritt, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, $1,966,688
 * John S. Heller, Vice President and Chief Information Officer
 * Gerald L. Shaheen, Divisional President, $5,373,275
 * Gerard R. Vittecoq, Divisional President, $6,375,508 (also exercised $1,021,863 in options)

Selected board members:
 * W. Frank Blount, Chairman and CEO of JI Ventures, Inc. (venture capital) and TTS Management Corporation (private equity management).
 * Charles D. Powell, Chairman of Safinvest Limited (asset and investment management) and LVMH Services Limited (luxury goods).
 * Joshua I. Smith, Chairman and Managing Partner of the Coaching Group, LLC (management consulting).

Contact details
100 NE Adams Street Peoria, IL 61629 Phone: 309-675-1000 Fax: 309-675-1182 Web: http://www.cat.com

SourceWatch resources

 * Alliance for Energy and Economic Growth